Mr Williamson was one of a raft of appointments on the first full day of Theresa May's term as Britain's second female prime minister, including former Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin as Tory party chairman.

The appointment is understood to be a real step up for Mr Williamson, from North Yorkshire.

The newly appointed chief whip has also served as parliamentary private secretary to transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin.

The new Prime Minister launched her brutal shake-up of David Cameron's cabinet last night.

The first victim of Mrs May's brutal cull was Chancellor George Osborne, who was replaced by Phillip Hammond to steer the nation's economy.

Tory big guns Michael Gove, John Whittingdale, Nicky Morgan, Oliver Letwin and Chancellor George Osborne have been cut from the Cabinet by Mrs May as she forms her new Conservative Government.

Brexit campaigner Boris Johnson was sensationally appointed as Foreign Secretary last night as Mrs May began to assemble a Cabinet team to pull Britain out of the EU.

Liz Truss was appointed Mr Gove's replacement as Justice Secretary, while she also became the first-ever female Lord Chancellor.

Justine Greening was named Mrs Morgan's replacement as Education Secretary and was also appointed Minister for Women and Equalities.